Sirocco! Calypso! Ah, yes. Gotta love Chanel Glossimers that 1) rhyme and 2) sound like the names of late-’80s pop duos, which reminds me…
…freshman year in high school, I sat next to a girl in algebra class who went to a Milli Vanilli concert one night and then gushed the next day at school about how “They were so amazing live!”
LOL! Live-ish. 🙂
It’s too bad the Glossimers aren’t less expensive. Both of these limited edition shades from the Summertime de Chanel collection are also pretty sheer, and at $29.50 a pop, they aren’t exactly a bargain in terms of pigment per ounce.
Even so, their sheerness is oddly what I like about them.
I can just imagine the summertime adventures I could have with these two. Touring wine country one Sunday with my friends, Jen and Cindy, peachy beige Sirocco on my lips.
The color is a little like MAC C-Thru, only less pigmented and more shimmery. Perfect for an easy nude lip. I’d whip it out for touch-ups between sips of Merlot and the grand revelations that come with being a boozy lightweight/cheap date (“Dude, Madonna’s Bedtime Stories CD was way ahead of its time!”).
Fun facts about “Sirocco”
- It’s also a North African wind that blasts across the Mediterranean to Southern Europe
- The title of a movie staring Humphrey Bogart
- The name of a parrot that once tried to mate with some dude’s hair
The second shade, Calypso, is a reddish coral with golden glitter. More pigmented than Sirocco but less opaque than similar shades like MAC Lychee Luxe, it’s the one I’d wear with friends to Bliss Spa, followed by lunch at the Samovar Tea Lounge (because tea with friends makes everything better).
Sheer and shiny coral lips + spa treatments * tea + good conversation = happiness. Add a bright floral dress, and I’m smiling from ear to ear. 🙂
Calypso (bottom) and Sirocco (top)
Sirocco (left) and Calpyso (right)
Sirocco on my lips
Calypso on my lips; Smashbox Shades of Fame Eye Palette, Becca Automatic Eye Pencil in Goa and Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara on my eyes; and Sunday Riley Blush in Intimate on my cheeks
What else?
- Texture: Both of these feel thick to me, but they aren’t sticky. Good if you like to feel like you’re actually wearing something on your lips. Oh, but about the glitter? — that, I can’t feel. No grit from it at all, which is a plus.
- Flavor and scent: Neither.
- Hydration: I don’t have any issues with these drying out my lips. In fact, they’re pretty moisturizing.
- Wear time: Not bad. I get about three hours out of them before I need a touch-up, and I definitely need to reapply after tea and crumpets.
In this case, being sheer is a strength because it makes them easy to apply and wear, and these are good colors for that. No need for a lip liner, and I can apply them without a mirror.
Some gals will probably be quick to write these off, call them “just another summertime release,” and say they’re too sheer and not unique enough for $30. Ya know, part of me would agree, but here’s the thing: I really like Chanel. Actually, I love it, but mostly because I associate makeup with how it makes me feel, and for a variety of reasons, Chanel makes me feel special. 🙂
Not rocket science here. If you like sheer summery colors and Chanel, either/both of these wearable shades should put a spring in your step.
PRICE: $29.50 each
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Chanel counters and online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+ (being Chanel, they are on the expensive side)
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I love how Calypso looks on you!
Thanks, Rads!
Happy Monday!
OMG! they r so sheer but so Chanel.Their Glossimers have always been eye catching and ultra modern! Thanks a lot for sharing….i’m picking up Calypso soon!
Hi Neeraj,
You’re welcome! You’ll love Calypso. It’s such a fun summer shade.
LOL at Milli Vanili live, hahaha! Chanel has mae some great colors this year, Calypso is HOT. The perfect summer coral/red color. 🙂
Hi Renee,
It is! Have you had the chance to check out the rest of the launch?
I really like Calypso! If it’s not this one, I’ll definitely grab something similar this season. It’s really pretty!
Hi Sunny,
Great to hear you’re getting into glosses more!
Sirocco kind of reminded me of Sparkle D’or and a lot of other similar glasses I have, im not a fan of orange colors on my lips because they just don’t go well with my skin tone. But I sure do love me some En Vogue, the new rouge coco shine for summer… It comes of coral pink on my lips and I love it!
Hi Michelle,
I’ve got that shade on my to-test list this week. Can’t wait to try it!
What other items do you like from the launch?
The eyeshadow duo, I think is everyone’s favorite and the nail polish in Delight is amazing!!
I expected sheer nothingness plus gritty mania, I was soo taken off guard by the color payoff.
hi!! thankyou for reviewing these glossimers!!! i’m torn between chanel’s and guerlain’s summer collections so, i’ purchased a little of each. i’m extremely pale and tried both in nordstroms. why is it sooo dim in there? trying on makeup can be deceiving to the eye at times. i’ve been looking for a beige ever since chanel discontinued their aqualumieres especially in portofino and glossimer in beige guitaire. sirocco absolutely does nothing for me but, a clear shine. in the store calypso was very nice. i chose though guerlain’s shine automatique in #220. i heard jac was wearing just the rouge coco shine in the ad. hoping this will work out. do you think spring’s superstition rouge coco with sirocco gloss on top would work better for a beige-y lip? all suggestions would be appreciated. thanky for posting!! xoxo
Hi Wendy,
I totally know what you mean about Nordstrom being dim. What I usually do is grab a mirror and then I go outside and check to see how the makeup looks in natural light. It really helps!
As for a beige gloss, how do you feel about the MAC Lipglasses? They have a color called C-Thru that might be perfect for you.
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/mac-makeup/mac-unsung-heroes-c-thru-lipglass/
The colors are really very nice. And the price is more than gorgeous hehehe! 🙂
I think I could buy these glitters!
Cheers
Kristina
Hi Kristina,
Are you Chanel fan?
Ah, yes – they might not be unique enough but Chanel is always good enough for me! Or for every gal 😉 and Calypso does look flattering on you Karen!
Hi Helz,
Thanks! Gotta love coral gloss. 🙂
The price is a bit startling, but given that ive been doing tons and tons of goldy/bronzey looks, Sirocco would be a gorgeous addition to my summer staples! 🙂
Hi Nina,
It’s the perfect time of year for gold/bronzy looks. Don’t you just love the summer collections? I look forward to them all year long!
I’m a Chanel fan, too. Glossimers are just one of those lovely pleasurable things to spend money on, if I have it at the time, you know?
Hi Vijaya,
Oh, I know. Did you ever pick up any of the Aqualumiere glosses when they were still available? Those were great, too.
I got hooked on Chanel because of your blog!! I am pretty fair skinned and Calypso actually shows up a lot on me — such a pretty golden orange 🙂
Hi Michelle,
Yay! I’m glad to have made you a convert. What are your fave Chanel pieces? 🙂
Calypso is calling my name, I really love the hint of colour it gives. I imagine it’s very easy to just dab on your lips without a mirror too!
Hi Teri,
Yes it is, and that’s one thing I love about them.
Happy Monday!
Love this collection summertime collections always cost me the most money ha, ha.
Wil you be reviewing the bronzers? I can only find picutures on your website no reviews is that correct? thanks
Calypso looks lovely on you! I can’t say that I’d really be willing to spring (or summer) for Sirocco, since I just don’t get anything special from it, but Calypso is definitely on my want list.
passed on Sirocco was way to clear and not unique enough Calypso on the either hand wow love this one and usually I cannot wear orange on my face but this is such a nice unique colour of orange I think lots of ladies can wear this :-). Are you going to review more Chanel products?